Ottawa police say cocaine seized this summer contained fentanyl, the first time they've confirmed the presence of the potentially deadly opioid mixed in other street drugs. The cocaine sample, seized by a patrol officer in early July 2016, was sent to Health Canada for analysis and the results were returned last week, police said. It is the first Health Canada certificate of analysis confirming fentanyl's presence in another street drug, police said. "As always, police and Ottawa Public Health are advising that the best way to avoid an unintended overdose is by not using illegally obtained substances," police said in a statement released Thursday. In August Health Canada put forth a proposal to ban six chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, following the lead of a bill with the same aim put before the Senate by current Senator and former Ottawa police chief Vern White.

Source: CBC News October 13, 2016 21:56 UTC